During the months of April and May, the town of Pakil celebrates the Turumba Festival. The festival commemorates the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is the reason why festivities are held 7 times between the months of April and May. The first is held on the Friday before Palm Sunday. Succeeding events are held with 9 day intervals between them. The last event falls on Pentecost Sunday.

There are a number of versions as to the history of how this tradition began. The most common among this is that during the late 18th century, some fishermen saw a picture measuring 9″ x 11″ of the Blessed Virgin Mary tangled in their nets while fishing in Laguna de Bay. These fishermen decided to bring the image to the nearest church that they could find. However, only when they started to row towards Pakil did their boat moved. Upon reaching the shore, all efforts to bring it to the church was futile because the image became to heavy. News spread around town about the image that is too heavy to be lifted or moved. When the town priest arrived, he and the people vowed that they would make an annual pilgrimage to the image. In doing so, they succeeded in bringing it to the church. Along the way, some people started dancing and singing in praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This celebration started what we now call the Turumba Festival.

The painting was enshrined in the church of San Pedro de Alcantara on September 15, 1788